Children Should Be Students, Not SoldiersShow your support for the Children, Not Soldiers campaign which seeks to galvanize support to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children by national security forces by 2016.

News at The Hunger Site: News and information at The Hunger Site

Protests in Tunisia lead to state of emergency

Jan 14, 2011

Ongoing protests in Tunisia over high unemployment rates, rights abuses and poor living conditions have led President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to fire the current government and declare a state of emergency for the country in what officials say is meant to provide protection to citizens.

CNN reports that people in the North-African country are no longer allowed out on the streets between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. and that gatherings of three or more people are prohibited. If found in such groups, people can be arrested or shot at if they run away.

According to the news source, Ben Ali promised to hold elections in the next six months after firing several top government officials. Protesters have been calling for a wholesale regime change altogether, including the resignation of Ben Ali.

The president has claimed that he made concessions, stating he had asked the prime minister to reduce the prices of sugar, milk, bread and other food staples.